Metalcloak Stampede: Getting there was half the adventure.

Post-race interview with Mike Klensin, Driver of #4431

Metalcloak Stampede took place Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 at Prairie City SVRA in Rancho Cordova, California.

Photo by Acacia Pinnell

Hopes were high despite long-standing transmission issues. Before the race, Mike told us “We did some testing last weekend, put about 40 miles on the car and it worked real good. We made sure it’s shifting properly and didn’t overheat. So we’re definitely excited.”

If you were following Mike and John Brock on Facebook the day they drove up, you were among the first to suspect things wouldn’t go well. Our first clue was this photo on John’s Facebook page.

John wrote “We got a whole 40 miles out of Tucson before blowing the first tire on the trailer. Then a second tire around 200 miles out! Anyone want to guess how many tires we will go through on this trip?”

Then a third tire blew.

John posted “The last tire that blew may have had a slow leak even though it was brand new two days before, they put in new metal stems when the tires were changed.” The weather was unusually hot for California. “Every time we stopped to check the tires all 4 tire temps felt the same.”

One Facebook fan suggested they talk to the tires because “Tires having feelings too.”

It took a day and a half to get to Prairie City SVRA.

“We left Wednesday morning, got there on schedule Thursday afternoon and set up our Amanda Products pit tent.

Then we took time to look the car over again.

Friday morning we went out and ran laps for practice as well as a qualifying time. To get a qualifying time you need to run two laps, which was a challenge; our first time out we ran one lap and got a red flag for track maintenance.

Photo by Acacia Pinnell

The second time out we managed to get a qualifying time, but had to finish with a yellow flag at a reduced speed due to a rolled car in turn one.

Photo by Acacia Pinnell

The third time out it was very busy, with lots of cars trying to get a qualifying time before the drivers’ meeting.

We were stuck in lots of traffic, rubbing tires and trying to pass. We were just about to try and make a fast lap when the rear drive shaft U joint broke, causing the drive shaft to bind up against the chassis; it resulted in a major shock load that threw the drive train and broke the trail housing on the transmission, ending our run.

Dave Cole offered up a friend’s transmission so we could swap it out in time to run the LCQ on Saturday. We spent the rest of Friday pulling the transmission out, only to find an oil leak at the crank shaft. A bit leery about ruining a built 6.2 LT motor, we decided to call it quits for the weekend. ”

Photo by Acacia Pinnell

Fortunately, the drive back to Tucson was uneventful. 

“We are disappointed about the results of an 1,850 mile round trip – especially considering the prep that went into this race – but that’s racing. We look forward to Glenn Helen, where we’ll be ready to battle again.”

The 4 Wheel Parts Glen Helen Grand Prix takes place at Glen Helen Motorsports Park in San Bernardino, CA from 8 a.m. July 11, 2014 to 5 p.m. July 12, 2014. Learn more at http://ultra4racing.com/category/glen-helen-grand-prix-2/

Photo by Acacia Pinnell

Mike signed off with “Thanks to our sponsors; Amanda Products, Artec Industries, ADS race shocks, Crossed Up Customs and Rocking J Off Road; also, my thanks to John Brock (car owner) and Mike Florian, our crew chief at most events.”

Support Mike and John on Facebook at Team Crossed Up Off Road:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-Crossed-Up-Off-Road/255556821123771